Trump Says US Ready to Strike Iran Again as Regional Tensions Persist
WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES — WEB DESK: US President Donald Trump said Washington is prepared to carry out further military strikes against Iran if necessary, warning that American forces retain the ability to act again following one of the sharpest escalations between the two countries in weeks.
Speaking from the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump described the latest US assault on Iranian targets as a “very heavy attack” and said another operation could be launched if Washington deemed it necessary. He also suggested that any renewed phase of the campaign would not last long.
The remarks represent a warning that additional military action remains an option, rather than confirmation that Trump has ordered another attack or selected targets for a new operation.
Trump Says Further Strikes Remain Possible
Trump said the latest American attacks targeted Iranian military capabilities near the Strait of Hormuz, including radar, missile systems and equipment associated with mine deployment.
The president maintained that the United States could strike again if required, even as he predicted the renewed military campaign would be relatively short.
His comments followed several days of escalating exchanges. US forces resumed attacks on Iranian targets after a period of reduced military activity, while Iran retaliated with missiles and drones aimed at US-linked positions across the Middle East.
The latest escalation has involved attacks affecting Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait and Iraq, although Iranian claims about American casualties have been disputed by Washington.
Nuclear Programme Remains Central to Trump’s Position
Trump also reiterated his opposition to Iran acquiring nuclear weapons, saying Washington would not allow Tehran to develop a nuclear bomb.
The nuclear issue has been one of several stated US objectives during the conflict, alongside pressure over Iran’s military capabilities, regional activities and threats to commercial navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump’s latest remarks, however, did not announce a new nuclear agreement or a resumption date for formal negotiations with Tehran.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has recently indicated that Tehran could reciprocate if Washington honours commitments under an interim diplomatic arrangement, highlighting that a diplomatic channel has not been entirely abandoned despite renewed fighting.
Strait of Hormuz Remains Key Flashpoint
Trump also said oil tankers continued moving through the Strait of Hormuz and that millions of barrels of oil were passing through the strategic waterway.
The strait remains one of the central flashpoints in the confrontation because of its importance to global energy supplies.
Reuters reported Thursday that US officials said 17 million barrels of oil passed through the Strait on Monday, the highest daily volume since the current conflict began. Iran has meanwhile imposed additional restrictions and penalties on vessels it says fail to comply with its requirements.
The latest figures indicate that oil is still moving through the waterway, but they do not mean normal commercial shipping conditions have been fully restored.
Shipping activity has been heavily disrupted during the conflict, while concerns about further attacks continue to affect energy markets.
Oil Prices Remain Elevated
Global oil markets continue to respond to the uncertainty surrounding the US-Iran confrontation.
On Thursday, Brent crude was trading around $95.04 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate stood near $90.63, according to Reuters. Prices edged lower as investors weighed the possibility that the latest escalation could ease, although the threat of further military action continued to support geopolitical risk premiums.
There had been no confirmed new attack since around Wednesday midday Sydney time, Reuters reported, providing tentative signs of de-escalation after the intense exchange.
Trump’s warning nevertheless leaves open the possibility of renewed American action.
Civilian Casualties Draw Growing Concern
The latest escalation has also renewed international concern over civilian casualties.
Iranian authorities say recent US strikes killed civilians, including people attending a wedding near the Strait of Hormuz. Reuters reported Thursday that Iranian figures put the wider death toll from the latest strikes at 18 people, with 108 injured.
The United States has denied intentionally targeting the wedding.
The distinction is important: available reporting supports that civilians were killed during the strikes, but does not establish that US forces deliberately selected a wedding celebration as a target.
The United Nations has called for an end to attacks on civilians as the conflict continues.
Threat Does Not Mean New Strike Has Been Ordered
Trump’s latest statement comes after earlier threats of stronger action if Iran retaliated against American attacks. On August 31, he warned Tehran that further military action could follow after Iranian missiles were launched towards US bases in Jordan.
The president’s rhetoric has therefore remained deliberately open-ended: Washington says it can strike again while also suggesting the latest renewed campaign may not last long.
For publication purposes, Trump’s remarks should not be interpreted as confirmation of another imminent US attack.
As of the latest reporting reviewed, no new strike order, target list or timetable for another American operation has been publicly announced.
The immediate question is whether the relative lull following this week’s intense exchanges holds — or whether another round of US or Iranian attacks again pushes the conflict towards wider regional escalation.
